Peter
KOTA KINABALU: Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony assures all in the state that the quality of treated water in Sabah is safe for consumption.
He also warned those responsible for spreading the rumor that they will face the consequences of their action of tarnishing the state Water Department, his ministry and the state Government.
“I would like to warn these quarters that the ministry will not hesitate to take the necessary action on those who try to tarnish the ministry and government through lies and slander.
“We know that there are some quarters doing that and I have asked the state Water Department director to lodge a police report on the latest allegation that the quality of treated water in Sabah is not safe for consumption,” Peter told reporters today.
Peter said that he was informed of the allegation that went viral on social media today.
“Today an allegation saying that the water quality in the state not safe for consumption went viral. I want to stress here that this is not true because the water supply in all treatment plants in the state, not only the 58 that we just took over, is safe for consumption,” he stressed.
Peter also refuted claims that there is no chlorine in the water treatment plants saying that there is sufficient supply in all the plants.
He admitted that two out of the 58 plants encountered some problems after the takeover by the government on January 15.
“Yesterday we encountered a bit of a problem… there was element of sabotage at the Segaliud in Sandakan and Milau in Kudat treatment plants. All the employees did not turn up for work and we also found that equipment as well as chemicals were removed from the plants.
“The plants and its contents now belong to the state government, they have no right to remove anything from the premises and grounds. But we managed to get the plants operational by getting replacement workers to carry out the routine work and water supply in these two area is back to normal,” he said adding that there were 94 employees and 39 employees at the Segaliud and Milau plants respectively.
The two plants were operated by the same concessionaire which was among the six which had their contracts terminated recently.
Meanwhile Peter reiterated that the 1,335 employees from the 56 water plants will be absorbed into the state Water Department and that their appointment letters would be issued soon.
“ I have also said that their salary will be maintained and there is the possibility of increment. We will consider this based on the Water Department’s proposal but I am sure that not a single employee will see a reduction in their salary.
“On behalf of the ministry and department, we extend our gratitude to the employees from 56 of the 58 plants for giving their 100 per cent commitment and support to our plans for the state,” said Peter.
On the matter on one of the water treatment concessionaires, Arawira Sdn Bhd whose contract was terminated contemplating legal recourse for all damages and losses resulting from the unilateral termination, Peter said is is their right to do so.
“The ministry is always open and transparent, we are doing this to help the state government as we know the state’s financial situation is critical so one way to help out is to implement an action plan that can reduce expenses at the department and ministry level.
“But they must not forget that they have been serving the previous government for a long time. Did they pay tax to the then state government? I believe they have not done so in a proper manner. We will conduct a thorough study on how much were paid to these concessionaires and if they paid tax based on the amount they were paid.
“ I want the Inland Revenue Board to also investigate if they paid their dues in tax,” said Peter.